When assessing the Avalanche’s situation up the middle going into the offseason, there are a lot of factors to consider.
The first of which is Matt Duchene, and his future with the team. There has been some speculation that he may be traded. Even if he sticks with the Avalanche, do they plan to play him at center or right wing next season? If Duchene is moved, or moved from the middle, then the team may have a need at center.
There is a chance both Mikko Rantanen and J.T. Compher could make the team next season. While both have the versatility to play either center or wing, they will likely at least begin at the latter position. As such, even if they both indeed make the team, it likely will not impact the Avalanche up the middle.
The same can be said for unrestricted free agent Shawn Matthias. Acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, he is listed as a center on the Avalanche roster. That being said, he played almost exclusively on the wing for the burgundy and blue; and thus will be considered a winger for the purposes of this article.
The inverse is true of Nathan MacKinnon and Mikhail Grigorenko, two of the Avalanche’s restricted free agents. While they both can play wing also, they spent the majority of their time last season at center. As such, they will indeed be considered centers in this article.
The center market this offseason is actually pretty darn strong. It remains to be seen how much of players the Avalanche will be in that market. Either way, here’s a preview of five names to watch for:
5. Mikhail Grigorenko
2015-2016 stats: GP: 74 G: 6 A: 21 P: 27 +/-: 2 PIM: 8
It was an interesting season for Grigorenko. At the beginning of the campaign, he was seemingly always either in Patrick Roy’s doghouse or in the press box as a healthy scratch (sometimes both). During the second half, he was one of the Avs’ most versatile and surprisingly responsible forwards.
Considering that Grigorenko is only 22, his inconsistency isn’t all that surprising. As is all too often the case with Russian forwards, when he struggled, it was usually due to a low compete level. When he is on his game, he can play in all situations. With the Avalanche, he saw time on every line, at center and wing, on the point on the powerplay and even on the penalty kill.
Grigorenko is a very smart player. It is also reasonable to assume that Avalanche coach Patrick Roy has a bit of a soft spot for the forward considering their history together, which dates back to the QMJHL. His versatility makes him a solid depth forward, with the potential to develop into something more. The Avalanche should absolutely bring him back, if the price is right.
Estimated cost: $1-2 million per season.
2015-2016 stats: GP: 80 G: 6 A: 9 P: 15 +/-: -2 PIM: 32
Regardless of how the Avalanche’s current crop of pivots shake out, they could us a true shutdown center. Luckily for them, there is a solid group available on the free agent market; though they are all over 30.
For me, of those who would likely accept a fourth line role, it was a difficult choice between Moore and Paul Gaustad. Moore gets the nod for sentimental reasons (he’s the brother of former Avalanche forward Steve Moore) and because he is a better skater (something the Avs really value).
Though Moore’s offensive production decreased last year, he was still an integral part of the Rangers’ penalty kill and was elite in the faceoff circle (winning 55.28 percent of his draws). Any offense is a bonus with Moore, it’s not why you sign him.
Estimated cost: $2-3 million per season.
2015-2016 stats: GP: 77 G: 36 A: 28 P: 64 +/-: 3 PIM: 38
Bwaaaa?!?! Steven Stamkos is only third on the list?!?! Though he is one of the best free agents in NHL history, he does not get the top spot for good reason: the Avalanche have virtually no shot at landing him.
Sure, the Avalanche would likely love to have Stamkos in their lineup. Who wouldn’t? He is one of the top goal scorers in the NHL. He can skate. He oozes leadership. More likely than not, it’s simply not in the cards.
Stamkos will command a pretty penny (perhaps the biggest contract in NHL history) should he hit the open market. The Avalanche might make a splash in free agency, but it will not be quite this big, especially considering that they are already pretty strong up the middle.
Sure, it’s fun to dream about how Stamkos would look in burgundy and blue. Heck, it’s even fun to acquire him in NHL 16, but in dreams and video games are the only places he will be joining the Avalanche next season. It’s better to accept this fact now, so it doesn’t upset you when he either signs with Toronto or re-signs with Tampa Bay this summer.
Estimated cost: $12-13 million per season.
2. David Backes
2015-2016 stats: GP: 79 G: 21 A: 24 P: 45 +/-: 4 PIM: 83
Up front, Backes would be the ideal addition to the Avalanche lineup. He is big, mean, a leader, can play center or wing and is relentless on the forecheck. Avs general manager Joe Sakic wants the team to compete harder, to go down kicking and screaming. David Backes is a man that never quits, a man that is always willing to fight on.
At the end of the regular season, it was not out of the realm of possibility that the Avalanche could have a shot at Backes. His offensive production declined, as did his ice time. With other options at center, it looked possible that the Blues might move on from their captain.
Then the playoffs started.
Backes has been lights out for the Blues this postseason. With every game that their run extends, with every goal or big hit that Backes contributes, he is likely pricing himself out of the Avalanche’s plans. Would the Avalanche like to add a player like Backes? Sure. He just may be a little too costly to be a realistic option.
Estimated cost: $5.75-6.75 million per season.
- Nathan MacKinnon
2015-2016 stats: GP: 72 G: 21 A: 31 P: 52 +/-: -4 PIM: 20
In all likelihood, Nathan MacKinnon will be back with the Avalanche next season. He is young, undeniably talented and fits their desired style of play like a glove. Not to mention, Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy’s at the top of the Avalanche organization is unquestionably linked to MacKinnon, who was the pair’s first-ever draft pick.
For the second straight season, MacKinnon failed to match the level of production that saw him win the Calder Trophy as a rookie. He also plays a very similar style to Matt Duchene. Still, franchise centers are hard to come by; and despite a few setbacks, that is still what MacKinnon has the potential to become.
It will be interesting to see how much MacKinnon signs for. With an internal budget in place, the Avalanche have been unwilling to cross the Duchene line ($6 million/per). Could he command more than that on the open market? Probably. Will the Avalanche be willing to go above that number? We’ll see. A bridge contract would make sense in this situation.
Estimated cost: $5.5-6.5 million per season.